Flavors of Fall...not gone just yet!

Many of us are starting to dread the end of fall as the forecast sheds light on dropping temperatures and fabulous high 60 days become less and less commonplace...however, this does not mean that some of what makes fall such a great season will disappear as well!

In fact, the very opposite is true with the upcoming, highly anticipated Flavors of Fall event at The Regattabar located at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square.

This event, in its 8th year, is an opportunity for two things. For one, it is a great way to taste and experience what some of the best chefs from Cambridge and Somerville (two of Boston's richest culinary areas) are offering on their late fall menus. Secondly, it is also a chance to support Tutoring Plus, a cambridge based organisation that benefits young adolescents and students in education, personal and social growth.

Not bad for a Monday night eh?

To serve will be widely known and recognized chefs from places the like of Bondir , Catalyst (both have been on my list for way too long!), Area Four (personal fave) and Bergamot.

There will also be beer brewers, cocktial mixers and ice creamers on hand to satiate other parallels of your appetite...oh and did I mention? As per usual at the Regattabar, some grade A jazz will follow throughout....really it will all be happening at the Regattabar this Monday!

Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the following link:

Buy Tickets

See you there:)

A tribute to Toronto's downtown market

I am now back in Boston from what was a fabulous ten days spent with my family in Toronto.  Although I really did not want to leave, the beautiful weather in TO not helping...I am happy to be back, and the weather here (it was summer again today!) certainly helps!

I thought I would give one last hurrah to my trip in TO. Seeing as farmer's markets are one of my absolute favorite things to visit, espcecially the ones in Boston and New York, I think it is fitting that I do a little tribute to the St. Lawrence Market - Toronto's fabulous indoor market.

The reason I like Farmer's markets so much, is that they are the perfect opportunity to experience first hand, the local flavors, smells, colours and products that are produced locally (or indeed from very foreign markets). At the St. Lawrence Market, you get a refreshing view of what is fresh, in season and also some interesting wares from all over the globe.

Located at the intersection of popular Front Street and Market Street, the Market is mostly indoors  On a beautidayul a like this one however, everything is shown under a better light.  The best way to enjoy both indoors and outdoors, is to proccur your goods and then snag a picnic table on the patio overlooking some of Downtown Toronto. This is exactly what we did!

We had an assortment of rish, creamy cheese, freshly cut and smoked deli meats, hot out of the oven bagels (drooling yet?) and huge juicy figs ( I bet you are now...).

Let's take a closer look at that cheese....just for texture's sake:)

It's been a while since I have seen a Brie so rich and creamy, it was perfectly ripe!

We brought all of this outside, sat and enjoyed it.  This is something so simple, and yet so enjoyable - I would be hard put to find a better way to start any day. Unfortunately, mornings like this are hard to come by, but then again, that's what makes them so special!

I usually remain underwhelmed by Toronto as a city, maybe because I grew up there, or maybe because I usually go when it is freezing and I am exhausted - I usually go after the long Nutcracker run finishes in January...bbbrrrr!  I really must say though, that Toronto exceeded my expectations this visit. Of the whole ten days I was there, it rained once and was cold for only a couple days...the rest of my visit consisted of beautiful sunny skies, quite warm temperatures and gorgeous fall colors.

Toronto gets such bad press for being freezing and bleak come this time of year. When it puts on a show like this... everything in the city regains life and vigour...good thing I took my leave before temperatures really plummet though;)

A Super Sweet Deal

Two-in-one deals are always the best. You pay for one thing and get a second thing along with it. Even better than all of this is when the second part of the deal involves shedding some good and hope upon another.  This is exactly the kind of scenario that will be going on between Sweet Cupcakes and the Franklin Park Zoo. The two have teamed up to create a delicious cupcake inspired by Kambiri, one of their baby gorillas.

(photo credit - Robert Klein)

First of all...how cute!? Second of all, it's his first birthday coming up and the new 'Bananas for the Zoo' cupcake, dark chocolate cupcake with banana buttercream frosting and a toasted banana chip (pictured below), was made specifically for this special day.

So what's the first part of the deal? From November 5th through November 11th, 1 dollar from the purchase of any 'Bananas for the Zoo' cupcake will go towards the Zoo New England.

Donating while indulging in a delicious sweet something...seems doubly sweet to me:)

November in Toronto

Three guesses as to where this picture was taken....

Bet you wouldn't guess Toronto on the 1st of November.

It's true, Boston gets snow, and Canada gets beautiful sunshine:) (on the not so bright side, I think my igloo has melted...)

My sister and I decided to head to the Shops at Don Mills, a recently renovated 'urban city' mall, to enjoy the day.

Even though it was beautiful, only a few people were out taking advantage of the weather. Or maybe that was because it was the middle of the day on a Tuesday...my sister and I scored a day like this without the bustle...two for two!

And what better way to celebrate than with a hot tea misto and a good book?  It is so simple, but so plesant, the sun litterally kisses your face. I decided to take a break from my usual Latte from Second Cup (really only to make it that much better the next time I have it:) ). Teopia, a tea shop specialising in rare and premium loose leaf teas makes individual beverages ranging from freshly brewed teas to lattes and smoothies. I decided on a coco caramel tea misto with soy milk. Divinity in a cup!

My sister and I just sat and soaked it all in, I don't think our luck with this weather will last forever.